Metroline are to introduce London's first electric double-decker buses. BYD1471-1475 were initially going to Cricklewood for route 16, but now the buses are to enter service from Willesden Bus Garage for route 98.
BYD1472 (LJ16 EZN), pictured here on Edgware Road, was out on driver training duties on Tuesday. The design is a bit boxy and has been compared as an updated version to the preceding VPs on the 98 in design. However, they do look more refreshing once you see them for yourselves. I expect the buses will be out by the end of the month.
©London Bus Breh 2016.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Build Your Dreams BYD BYD K8SR BYD Electric Bus BYD eBus eBus Electric Electric Bus Electric Technology Electric Vehicle BYD1472 LJ16 EZN 16-reg London Buses Bus Edgware Road Church Street Church Street Market TfL Transport for London
© All Rights Reserved
Metroline route 98: Willesden, Bus Garage - Russell Square Station
Approaching Kilburn Park Road (KD)
The first fully electric double-deckers in London have finally entered service with Metroline from Willesden (AC) for route 98.
The design has been met with a mixed to negative response from enthusiasts. Its boxy nature is not the most pleasing in style and the plastic, simplistic interior fails to impress. Further drawbacks include poor lower deck capacity, with too much space required for the batteries, and irritating bell sounds.
On the plus side, the one-gear acceleration is amazing, faster than the E40H but with less character courtesy of the - to be fair - commendably low noise levels. A driver mentioned weight adjustments delayed the buses from entering service and braking sensitivity is high to counterbalance such fast acceleration.
The BYD K8SR is quite an 'ugly' bus, but they are 'different' and a nice change for drivers at Willesden. More on the BYD K8SR coming soon on London Connected.
©London Bus Breh 2016.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Build Your Dreams BYD BYD K8SR K8SR BYD Electric Bus BYD eBus eBus Electric Electric Bus Electric Technology Electric Vehicle BYD1472 LJ16 EZN 16-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 98 Route 98 Maida Vale Kilburn Park Road TfL Transport for London
© All Rights Reserved
Metroline route 98: Willesden, Bus Garage - Russell Square Station
Departing Carlton Vale (KE), towards Maida Vale Station / Elgin Avenue (B)
I don't normally share rear-end photos, but the BYD K8SR has quite a satisfactory rear-end design - at least, compared to the face of the bus which has not impressed many.
©London Bus Breh 2016.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Build Your Dreams BYD BYD K8SR K8SR BYD Electric Bus BYD eBus eBus Electric Electric Bus Electric Technology Electric Vehicle BYD1472 LJ16 EZN 16-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 98 Route 98 Maida Vale Carlton Vale TfL Transport for London
© All Rights Reserved
Metroline route 98: Willesden, Bus Garage - Holborn, Red Lion Square
Approaching Church Street (EN)
The electric double-deckers at Willesden were out of service for a while, BYD1474 even registering as withdrawn at one point. However, they are all back and BYD1473 is actually the first I have noticed to return with lights fitted behind its displays.
©London Bus Breh 2016.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Build Your Dreams BYD BYD K8SR K8SR BYD Electric Bus BYD eBus eBus Electric Electric Bus Electric Technology Electric Vehicle BYD1473 LJ16 EZO 16-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 98 Route 98 Edgware Road Church Street TfL Transport for London
© All Rights Reserved
Metroline route 98: Holborn, Red Lion Square - Willesden, Bus Garage
Marble Arch Station (O)
©London Bus Breh 2016.
Tags: Metroline Metroline Travel Metroline Travel Limited Build Your Dreams BYD BYD K8SR BYD Electric Bus BYD eBus Electric Electric Bus Electric Technology Electric Vehicle BYD1473 LJ16 EZO 16-reg London Buses London Buses Bus London Buses route 98 Route 98 Marble Arch Marble Arch Station Oxford Street TfL Transport for London
© All Rights Reserved